Irresistibly Easy Candied Walnuts: Your Go-To Sweet and Crunchy Snack and Edible Gift
Easy Candied Walnuts are a delightful, sweet treat that the entire family will adore. Perfectly crunchy and utterly addictive, these glazed walnuts are ideal for everyday snacking, festive holiday gatherings, or as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and loved ones.
Why You’ll Love These Easy Candied Walnuts
As the holiday season draws near, many of us start searching for those special snack or appetizer recipes that bring warmth and joy to our homes. These Easy Candied Walnuts are precisely that – a simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe that’s perfect for a multitude of occasions. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering, need a quick energy boost, or want to create thoughtful edible gifts, these glazed walnuts are a fantastic choice.
This recipe stands out for its simplicity, requiring just a handful of everyday ingredients. It’s so quick to prepare that you might find yourself making a double or triple batch. This way, you can easily share some as delightful gifts while ensuring you have plenty left for your own snacking pleasure. Beyond being a standalone snack, these versatile walnuts elevate salads, enhance cheese boards, and add a sweet crunch to desserts.
Walnuts are renowned for their impressive health benefits, being a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. Incorporating them into your diet is a smart move for heart and brain health. If you’re a fan of walnuts, you might also enjoy these other recipes:
- Elevate your Cheese Ball by coating it with finely chopped walnuts for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Add a festive touch to Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries by tossing in some crunchy walnuts.
- Start your day right with a nutritious bowl of Overnight Banana Bread Oatmeal, enhanced with the goodness of walnuts.
These candied walnuts are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. The crisp, sweet coating, combined with the rich, earthy flavor of walnuts, creates a harmonious bite that’s hard to resist. Let’s dive into what makes these glazed nuts so special and how you can whip up a batch in no time.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Glazed Walnuts
Creating these heavenly candied walnuts requires only a few key ingredients. Each plays a crucial role in achieving that irresistible sweet, crunchy coating.
- WALNUTS: The undisputed star! Walnuts are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients beneficial for heart and brain health. If you wish to experiment or have dietary restrictions, you can easily substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans, almonds, or cashews. Each will offer a slightly different flavor profile and texture, but the candied coating works wonderfully with most varieties.
- SUGAR: Granulated sugar provides the classic sweet crunch. For a deeper, more molasses-like flavor, you can opt for brown sugar. The choice depends on your preference for sweetness and the desired caramelization. You could also try a blend of both!
- VANILLA EXTRACT: Vanilla adds a warm, aromatic depth that beautifully complements the walnuts and cinnamon. While optional, it’s highly recommended for a more complex flavor. Pure vanilla extract offers the best results, but vanilla bean paste can also be used for a more intense vanilla flavor and speckles.
- CINNAMON: This spice brings a comforting warmth and a touch of classic flavor, especially perfect for the holiday season. Beyond taste, cinnamon also boasts its own health benefits, including antioxidant properties. Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of pumpkin pie spice for an even more festive twist.
- EGG WHITE: The egg white is essential as a binding agent. It helps the sugar and spice mixture adhere evenly to the walnuts, creating that signature crisp, crackly shell when baked. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the egg!
- SALT: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors. It prevents the candied walnuts from being overly sugary, adding a subtle savory note that makes them even more addictive.
- WATER: A small amount of water helps to create the foamy mixture with the egg white and sugar, ensuring a smooth, even coating on the nuts.
With these simple ingredients, you’re just a few steps away from a batch of homemade candied walnuts that will impress everyone.
How to Make Delicious Candied Walnuts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making caramelized or candied walnuts is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). This lower temperature allows the nuts to slowly toast and the sugar to caramelize without burning. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (Silpat). This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Create the Foamy Coating Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg white, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and water. Continue whisking until the mixture becomes light and foamy. This foamy texture is key to ensuring an even and delicate coating on each walnut.
- Coat the Walnuts Evenly: Add your walnuts to the egg white mixture. Stir thoroughly, ensuring every single walnut is completely coated. This step is crucial for achieving that consistent candied crunch.
- Spread and Bake: Spread the coated nuts out in a single, even layer on your prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lead to steaming instead of crisping. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, stirring the walnuts once halfway through the baking time. Stirring helps ensure even baking and prevents the nuts from sticking together.
- Cool and Enjoy: The walnuts will appear soft when they first come out of the oven. This is completely normal. As they cool, the coating will harden, transforming into that delightful crunchy candy shell. Once completely cooled, they are ready to serve as a snack or tossed into a fresh salad.
And there you have it – perfectly candied walnuts ready to be enjoyed!
Pro Tip: For extra flavor, you can lightly toast your walnuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes before coating them. This brings out their natural nutty aroma and deepens their flavor. Just be careful not to burn them!
Creative Ways to Serve Your Sugared Walnuts
These sweet and crunchy walnuts are incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Elevate Your Salads: Candied walnuts add a fantastic texture and a touch of sweetness to any salad. They pair beautifully with a fresh spinach salad, a classic candied walnut salad, or even a savory Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad. The contrast of the crunchy sweet nuts with crisp greens and tangy dressings is simply divine.
- Delightful Snacking: Candied walnuts are a healthy and satisfying snack to keep on hand throughout the week. Their combination of healthy fats, protein, and a touch of sweetness makes them an excellent choice when hunger strikes. They’re a much better alternative to processed snacks!
- Thoughtful Edible Gifts: During the holiday season, or any time of year, a jar of homemade candied walnuts makes a truly special and appreciated gift. Package them in a decorative mason jar, a clear cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon, or a small gift box for a personalized touch.
- Enhance Snack Mixes: For holiday gatherings or parties, incorporate these candied walnuts into various snack mixes. They would be an incredible addition to a Sweet & Salty Nut Mix or a classic Nuts n’ Bolts style snack mix, adding that irresistible sweet crunch.
- Dessert Topping: Sprinkle them over ice cream, yogurt parfaits, oatmeal, or even incorporate them into baked goods like muffins and cakes for added texture and flavor.
- Cheese Board Companion: Serve them alongside your favorite cheeses, fruits, and crackers for an elegant appetizer platter that balances sweet and savory notes beautifully.
- Breakfast Booster: A handful of these candied walnuts can instantly upgrade your morning oatmeal, granola, or even pancakes and waffles with a delightful crunch and sweetness.
No matter how you choose to enjoy them, these candied walnuts are sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen!
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Easy Candied Walnuts
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Ingredients
- 1 large egg white
- 6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 cups walnuts
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 300F; line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
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Whisk together the egg white, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, and water until foamy.
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Stir the walnuts in the egg white mixture to coat.
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Spread the nuts out in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake until golden, about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The nuts and their coating will harden as they cool.
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Serve after the walnuts have cooled as a snack or on a salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips for Perfect Candied Walnuts Every Time
- Even Coating is Key: Ensure every walnut is thoroughly coated with the egg white mixture. This guarantees consistent crunch and flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the walnuts space on the baking sheet. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam instead of roast, resulting in a less crispy texture. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
- Stir Halfway: Don’t forget to stir the walnuts about halfway through baking. This promotes even browning and prevents them from sticking to the parchment paper or to each other.
- Cool Completely: Patience is a virtue! The walnuts will not be crispy straight out of the oven. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before breaking them apart and enjoying. This is when the magic happens, and the sugar coating fully hardens.
- Storage for Freshness: Store cooled candied walnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. This keeps them wonderfully fresh and crunchy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Walnuts
Q: Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts?
A: Absolutely! This recipe works beautifully with a variety of nuts. Pecans, almonds, cashews, or a mix of your favorite nuts can be used interchangeably. Adjust baking time slightly if using smaller or larger nuts.
Q: Can I make candied walnuts without egg white?
A: While egg white is crucial for the classic crisp coating in this recipe, you can make a simpler “glazed” nut without it. This typically involves simmering sugar and water to create a syrup, then tossing the nuts in it and baking. The texture will be different – more of a thin glaze than a thick, crunchy coating – but still delicious.
Q: How do I prevent my candied walnuts from sticking together?
A: The most important steps are spreading them in a single, even layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet and stirring them halfway through baking. After they cool, if some pieces are still clumped, you can gently break them apart.
Q: Can I add different spices or flavors?
A: Yes, get creative! Besides cinnamon, you can add a pinch of nutmeg, ground ginger, cardamom, or even a touch of cayenne pepper for a sweet and spicy kick. A bit of orange zest or espresso powder can also add an interesting dimension.
Q: Are candied walnuts healthy?
A: Walnuts themselves are incredibly healthy, rich in omega-3s, fiber, and antioxidants. However, the addition of sugar means they are best enjoyed in moderation as a treat or topping rather than a primary health food. They are certainly a healthier and more wholesome alternative to many processed snacks!
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Sweet Treat!
These Easy Candied Walnuts are more than just a recipe; they are a versatile, flavorful, and incredibly simple addition to your culinary repertoire. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a thoughtful homemade gift, or an elegant topping for your favorite dishes, these sweet and crunchy delights will not disappoint. Their rich flavor, satisfying crunch, and effortless preparation make them an absolute must-try.
So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and whip up a batch. You’ll love the aroma that fills your kitchen and, even more, the irresistible taste of these homemade candied walnuts. Happy baking and happy snacking!